Islabikes

{{Short description|English bicycle manufacturer}} {{EngvarB|date=July 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Islabikes | logo = Islabikes logo.svg | caption = | type = Private Limited Company | traded_as = | genre =  | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation= 2005-2023 | founder = Isla Rowntree | location_city = [[Stanton Lacy]], Shropshire | location_country = United Kingdom | location = | locations = | area_served = UK, Europe | key_people= Isla Rowntree (Managing director) | industry = Other retail specialised stores | products = Children's and adult’s [[bicycle]] parts | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income= | aum =  | assets = {{GBP|4000000}}<ref name="Guardian"/> | equity = | owner = | num_employees = 21<ref name="Guardian"/> | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|islabikes.co.uk|Islabikes}} | footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Founder Isla Rowntree steps back after 15 years|url=https://www.islabikes.co.uk/blogs/news/founder-isla-rowntree-steps-back-after-15-years|access-date=2021-09-09|website=Islabikes|language=en}}</ref> | intl = }}

'''Islabikes''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|aɪ|l|ə}} {{respell|EYE|lə}} {{IPAc-en|b|aɪ|k|s}}<ref name=KGW2013/>) is an online retailer of bicycle parts and former manufacturer of specialist [[bicycle]] parts based near [[Ludlow]] in [[Shropshire]], England. From its founding in 2005 through 2023, the company was known for children's bikes, and from 2019 they added bicycles aimed at riders over age 65. It was founded by former [[Bicycle racing|competitive cyclist]] Isla Rowntree, initially located at [[Claverley]] in east Shropshire until it moved to [[Bromfield, Shropshire|Bromfield]] near [[Ludlow]] in 2010, then Ludlow itself in 2019. It ultimately located in [[Stanton Lacy]], Shropshire. In November 2014 the company employed 40 people.<ref name=sstar>{{cite news|title=Cyclist peddles her own design of bikes |work=Shropshire Star |date=28 November 2014 |page=18}}Report by Thomas Morton.</ref> Since 2023, it has sold only parts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Islabikes launches new spare parts website with Isla Rowntree returning as owner - BikeBiz |url=https://bikebiz.com/islabikes-launches-new-spare-parts-website-with-isla-rowntree-returning-as-owner/ |date=16 July 2024}}</ref>

Islabikes made much lighter weight bikes than usual for children's bikes, with all components designed specifically for the intended rider.<ref name=Farelly2007/><ref name=Haworth2011/> In 2011 Islabikes introduced its first adult-sized model, the Beinn 29.<ref name=SingletrackWorld2011/> Islabikes opened a North American headquarters in [[Portland, Oregon]] and began sales in April, 2013, but pulled out of the US market in 2018 due to uncertainty over [[Brexit]] and US regulations.<ref name=Maus2013/><ref name=Maus2018/> The bicycles were designed in the UK and manufactured in [[Vietnam]].<ref name=Kibbler2010/>

In February 2022, Islabikes announced the production of two new models for riders with [[dwarfism]].<ref name=Bowater2022/>

In October 2023 Islabikes announced it would stop production of bicycles after 18 years but will continue to supply spare parts and accessories, citing uncertain market conditions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bikebiz.com/islabikes-to-cease-production-of-bikes/ | title=Islabikes to cease production of bikes | date=26 October 2023 }}</ref> In a press release, founder Rowntree said, "Today, it's easy to forget just how bad most children's bikes were when I started Islabikes 18 years ago", and that, "Islabikes' early success gradually gained attention from other and bigger cycling brands and, as a result of them following our lead, today good quality, well thought-out children's bikes are available from multiple places, and for me, that is a wonderful thing."<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Ambrose |first=Tom |date=2023-10-27 |title=UK children’s cycle maker Islabikes to shut after nearly 18 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/27/uk-childrens-cycle-maker-islabikes-to-shut-after-nearly-18-years |access-date=2024-04-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In December 2025 Islabikes announced that in addition to the continued supply of spare parts and accessories, they would occasionally release limited, one-off batches of specific models. The first batch, a small run of Cnoc 14, Cnoc 16, and Cnoc 18 learner bikes is available for sale through their website.

{{gallery |width=250 |align=center |File:Lily onboard her islabike beinn 24.jpg |Beinn 24 model |File:Islabikes Cnoc 14.jpg |Four year old on Cnoc 14 model }}

==References== {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=Farelly2007>{{cite web |url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/kids/product/review-islabikes-beinn-20in-9631/ |title= Islabike Beinn 20in review |first= Tony |last = Farelly |date = 8 July 2007 |publisher = BikeRadar |access-date = 18 July 2011}}</ref>

<ref name=Haworth2011>{{Citation |url= http://www.islabikes.co.uk/why/press_pdfs/Singletrack_nov_2011.pdf |access-date= 23 February 2013 |magazine= [[Singletrack (magazine)|Singletrack]] |title= Interview: Isla Rowntree |last= Haworth |first= Benji |date= November 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130323155911/http://islabikes.co.uk/why/press_pdfs/Singletrack_nov_2011.pdf |archive-date= 23 March 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

<ref name=SingletrackWorld2011>{{Citation |url= http://singletrackworld.com/2011/08/islabike-launch-big-bikes-for-big-kids/ |date= 30 August 2011 |title= Islabike launch big bikes for big kids |magazine= [[Singletrack (magazine)|Singletrack]] |access-date=23 February 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=Maus2013>{{Citation |title= UK-based Islabikes opens North American headquarters in southeast Portland |first= Jonathan |last= Maus |date= 28 March 2013 |work= BikePortland |url= http://bikeportland.org/2013/03/28/uk-based-islabikes-opens-north-american-headquarters-in-southeast-portland-84795 }}</ref>

<ref name=KGW2013>See [[Isla (given name)]]. {{Citation |url= http://www.kgw.com/news/business/Isla-Bikes-sets-up-shop-in-Portland-203690101.html |access-date= 26 April 2013 |date= 18 April 2013 |publisher= [[KGW]] |title= Islabikes sets up shop in Portland |format= [[Flash Video]] |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130629144848/http://www.kgw.com/news/business/Isla-Bikes-sets-up-shop-in-Portland-203690101.html |archive-date= 29 June 2013 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

<ref name=Kibbler2010>{{Citation |title= Ludlow-based bike business Isla Bikes goes from strength to strength |date= 22 November 2010 |first= Adrian |last= Kibbler |url= http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8671111.print/ |newspaper= [[The Argus (Brighton)|The Argus]] }}</ref>

<ref name=Maus2018>{{Citation|url= https://bikeportland.org/2018/10/05/brexit-uncertainty-us-regulations-among-reasons-for-islabikes-retreat-290595 |title= Brexit uncertainty, US regulations among reasons for Islabikes' retreat |first=Jonathan |last=Maus |date=5 October 2018 }}</ref>

<ref name=Bowater2022>{{Citation|url= https://www.islabikes.co.uk/blogs/news/our-new-step-through-bike-for-riders-with-dwarfism |title= Our new step-through bike for riders with dwarfism |first=Dave |last=Bowater |date=22 February 2022 }}</ref>

}}

==External links== * {{Official website}}

[[Category:Cycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2005]] [[Category:Companies based in Shropshire]] [[Category:Ludlow]]